'작은 생물의 세계' 주제에 대한 초등학생들의 후속 흥미에 영향을 미치는 요인 분석

Abstract

Interest is one of the important factors in science education. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting the follow-up interest of elementary school students on topics of 'Small Organisms' World'. The follow-up interests of the students on the topic were grouped into three categories; the developed-expanded-deepened (EDD), the simply expanded and maintained (SEM), and the stoped or decreased (SD) types. Each types had specific distinguishing features. Through the examination of students' responses and the in-depth interviews, the factors affecting on the follow-up interests of the students were analyzed. The factors were classified into two types of the external factor and the internal one. While the external factors were mainly related to the instructional materials used in science class and teaching methods, the internal factors were related to the desire for knowing, prior knowledge, students' experience and attitude toward the topics of science. In relation to the types of the follow-up interests, these factors were affected by different causes. The EDD type was most affected by internal factors, such as desire for knowing and prior knowledge. The SEM type was shown to be most affected by external factors, such as instructional materials. The SD type was mainly influenced by external factors, such as teaching methods. From the analysis of internal factors, it was revealed that the attitude and the prior knowledge about the topic are related with the follow-up interests. There was a positive relationship between the levels of science attitude and science knowledge. The students who had EDD type had a higher level of attitude and knowledge. However, there were some students who had higher level of scientific knowledge with SD type. The results of in-depth interviews showed that they were influenced by negative perceptions about science and stress on their grades. In conclusion, each follow-up interest type were caused by the external factors contained in the processes of the science class and the internal ones associated with the individual features and were influenced by the science class. So, the teacher should help the students be able to have the EDD type of follow-up interest which is persisted even after the completion of the science curriculum. For this, when the teachers design science curriculum and plan lesson, they should consider both internal and external factors significantly influencing the students' follow-up interests.